Small Business Leadership Academy to Be Presented by Cox Communications and Delgado

July 14, 2025

Academy to Focus on Leadership, Power, and AI Skills for Entrepreneurs

Cox Communications and Delgado Community College are partnering to host the 6th annual Small Business Leadership Academy. This program provides continuing education and leadership development to entrepreneurs and small business leaders in Louisiana.

The nine-week Small Business Leadership Academy, presented by Cox, will teach entrepreneurs how to scale their businesses and operate responsibly, with a focus on current Cox suppliers. During the program, participants will develop a business growth plan, earn an industry-based credential, learn the fundamentals of AI for business, and strengthen their leadership and power skills.

The Small Business Leadership Academy will launch on August 25 and will culminate with a graduation ceremony on November 6. Entrepreneurs are invited to apply to the program, which is sponsored by Cox. The application deadline is August 20, 2025.

"When local entrepreneurs get access to high-level strategy and coaching, they scale faster, higher, smarter and win more deals," said Sunni LeBeouf, Market Vice President for Cox New Orleans. "Programing through the Small Business Leadership Academy is designed to help meet the core needs of startups in Metro Louisiana, and we are excited to partner for the sixth year with Delgado Community College."

“Delgado is grateful for this long-standing partnership with Cox Communications, where we invest in entrepreneurs through formal skill-based and technical training. The businesses that complete the program experience profound transformation, which results in more jobs, increased earnings, and a greater economic impact for our region and state,” said Dr. Larissa Littleton-Steib, Chancellor of Delgado Community College.

“Delgado and Cox share a mutual commitment to positioning small businesses for exponential growth. This partnership focuses on developing leaders to excel at all aspects of business operations to grow their market share and profitability,” said Dr. Arlanda Williams-Smith, Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development at Delgado Community College.

The program is open to all Cox suppliers and to non-suppliers, with priority given to requests from suppliers. Enrollment is limited to 30 participants, and participants who complete the program will earn continuing education units from Delgado.

The enrollment deadline is Wednesday, August 20, 2025. Orientation will be held on Monday, August 25, 2025, at Delgado’s City Park Campus in Building 8.

Learn more about the program and apply online for enrollment, or contact Delgado Community College Workforce Development’s Small Business Center at sbc@dcc.edu.